St. Scholastica Academy has asked the Covington Zoning Commission to delay action on the school's request for permission to build a gymnasium and multi-purpose building on its campus in the city's historic district. The matter was scheduled to go before the commission on Sept. 15, but an attorney for the Catholic high school is requesting that the issue be tabled until October.

In a letter to Covington Planning Director Nahketah Bagby, attorney Paul Mayronne said in light of issues raised by city officials, the school will need addition time to prepare for its case. In order for the issue to be tabled and brought up again at the Oct. 20 meeting, the zoning commission will have to vote to do so at the Sept. 15 meeting, Bagby said.

The all-girls school is seeking permission to demolish its gymnasium and an adjacent campus building - Wisdom Hall - and replace them with a new multi-purpose building and gymnasium that would be built in two phases. Once completely built, the new structure would total about total 56,000 square feet.

The construction site is bounded by South Jahncke Avenue, East 21st Avenue, East 20th Avenue and South Massachusetts Street.

The property is properly zoned for the project, but it is subject to a review from the zoning commission because the proposed building exceeds 20,000-square-feet, city officials have said. The commission will determine whether the site plan is appropriate, evaluating factors such as ingress and egress, parking, buffers and the like.

The new gym would have 1,000 seats, dressing rooms, weight training facilities and support space, according to the school's application to the zoning commission. The adjoining multi-purpose facility would feature seating for 720 chairs with a stage and support space. It would also have four classroom and five training labs.

Under the school's plan, the Bogue Falaya Apartments, located on Rutland Street across from the campus, would be demolished to make way for additional parking in the area. The 16-unit complex, built in 1968, is owned by SSA and the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Its demolition would clear the way for 44 parking spaces, according to school's application to the city.